NY Times Says 2007 Detroit Auto Show is All International

Washington DC January 9, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that this year, despite a valiant showing from Detroit automakers, the Detroit Auto Show was filled with new, shiny cars with faster engines and advanced technologies from across the world, reports The New York Times.

"The Detroit show is how the auto companies relate to each other, and that is certainly changing," said Jeremy Anwyl, president of Edmunds.com.

No other year has the sharing of information and design been more prevalent. "The theme this year is not about product — it's about the international nature of the car business," said James Lentz, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. In another hint of change, Changfeng Motor, a Chinese manufacturer, used the Detroit Show to introduce a concept car, the Rhombus.

Mr. Anwyl predicted that Chinese manufacturers would move more quickly into the American market than their Japanese or Korean counterparts did, once they find dealers to carry their cars: "This is an indicator of what's to come," Anwyl said.

And Chinese cars may be on the scene even more quickly from DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler unit, which recently signed a letter of intent with another Chery to build a small car in China for Chrysler to sell in North America.